Swakopmund (German for "Mouth of the Swakop") is a city on the coast of northwestern Namibia, 280 km (175 miles) west of Windhoek, Namibia's capital. It is the capital of the Erongo administrative district. As a seaside resort, the weather is cooler here in December to January (Namibia's summer months) so the territorial administration moves to Swakopmund for these months.[1] Swakopmund's population as of 2007 is approximately 28,552.[2]

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Name

Lutheran Church

The majority of towns and villages in Namibia have grown out of indigenous settlements and very often were located close to sources of water. Names of places given by original inhabitants were very descriptive and in many cases those names were retained by Europeansettlers who sometimes simplified pronunciations of the names. The Nama word "Tsoakhaub" can be translated as "excrement opening" which was an offensive but accurate description of the waters of the Swakop River when it flooded, carrying masses of mud, sand, pieces of vegetation and animal corpses to the Atlantic Ocean.

The Nama name was changed to "Swachaub" by German settlers, and with the proclamation of Swakopmund as an independent district of German South-West Africa in 1896, the present way of writing Swakopmund (meaning Estuary of the Swakop in German) came into use.

History

Swakopmund was founded in 1892, two years later than Windhoek, by Captain Curt von François. It was intended to be the main harbour of German South-West Africa. Increased traffic between Germany and its colony necessitated establishing a port of its own, as Walvis Bay, located 33 kilometres south, was in British possession. The choice fell to a site north of the Swakop River, because water was readily available, and because other sites were unsuitable. It should be noted however, that the site did not offer any natural protection to ships lying off the coast, such places being very rare on Namibia's western coast.[3]

On 4 August 1892 the crew of a gunboat named Hyäne (German for Hyena) erected two beacons on a large dune, probably in the vicinity of the present lighthouse. This is regarded as the founding date of Swakopmund. The first settlers were 120 Schutztruppe with equipment and 40 settlers who offloaded from the Marie Woermann using four landing boats. The settlers had to build caves on the beach to protect themselves against hostile weather. Before a breakwater was built in 1898, which later became known as the Mole, all offloading was done with special boats that could only be handled by Kroo men from Liberia. At that time, up to 600 Kroo tribesmen were employed by the Woermann Line. The number of vessels offloading in Swakopmund was increasing rapidly. In 1894, only four ships offloaded, and in 1895 there were five. In 1896 the Woermann Line introduced bi-monthly service, and in 1899, monthly service to Swakopmund. Due to a lack of building materials, most of the first settlers' houses were prefabricated wood.

Swakopmund Lighthouse

Swakopmund quickly became the main port for imports and exports for the whole territory, and was one of six towns which received municipal status in 1909. Many government offices for German South-West Africa had offices in Swakopmund.

Soon, the harbour created by the Mole silted up, and in 1905 work was started on a wooden jetty, but in the long run this was inadequate. In 1914 construction of an iron jetty was therefore commenced, the remains of which can still be seen today. After World War I it became a pedestrian walkway. It was declared structurally unsound and was closed to the public for seven years and in 2006 renovations to the portion supported by concrete pillars was completed with the remaining portion being alienated. It was opened to the public once more in late 2006.

Woermann House & Tower

Trading and shipping companies founded branches in Swakopmund. A number of these buildings still exist today. After German South-West Africa was taken over by the Union of South Africa in 1915, all harbour activities were transferred from Swakopmund to Walvis Bay. Many of the Central Government services ceased. Businesses closed down, the number of inhabitants diminished, and the town became less prosperous. However, the natural potential of Swakopmund as a holiday resort was recognised, and this potential has subsequently been developed. Today tourism-related services form an important part of the town's economy.

The discovery of uranium at Rössing, 70 km (43 mi) outside the town, led to the development of the world's largest opencast uranium mine. This had an enormous impact on all facets of life in Swakopmund which necessitated expansion of the infrastructure of the town to make it into one of the most modern in Namibia.

In October 2000 an agreement was signed between the Namibian and People's Republic of China governments to build a satellite tracking station at Swakopmund. Construction was completed in July 2001 at a site north of Swakopmund to the east of the Henties Bay-Swakopmund road and opposite the Swakopmund Salt Works. The site was chosen as it was on the orbital track of a manned spacecraft during its reentry phase. Costing N$12 million, the complex covers 150m by 85m. It is equipped with five meter and nine meter satellite dishes.

Public health

Climate

Surrounded by the Namib Desert on three sides and the cold Atlantic waters to the west, Swakopmund enjoys a temperate climate. The average temperature ranges between 15°C (59°F) to 25°C (77°F). Rainfall is less than 15 mm per year, making gutters and drainpipes on buildings a rarity. The cold Benguela current supplies moisture for the area in the form of fog that can reach as deep as 140 km (87 mi) inland. The fauna and flora of the area has adapted to this phenomenon and now relies upon the fog as a source of moisture.

From Wikitravel

Contents

Swakopmund, known as Swakop in Namibia is the country's
biggest coastal town and a mecca for Namibians on holiday. The
city's German origins are quite pronounced in beautiful old German
Colonial buildings throughout the city, making an even starker
contrast for this town sitting at the edge of the Namib Desert.
[1]

One artifact of the German colonization includes an old
museum/store, selling genuine artefacts from the 19th century.
Cover a child's eyes, because some of what is on sale is
aesthetically--and historically--difficult to look at.

Swakopmund was used as the setting for The Village in the 2008
production of The Prisoner [2] by AMC and ITV.
It's quaint buildings and unusual appearance made a perfect
replacement for Portmeirion where the original 1960's
series of The Prisoner was set.

Get in

By car

The best way to get to Swakopmund is by road from Windhoek. The
B2 is the main road from Windhoek, and takes 4-5
hours by car.

By minibus

Minibusses operate from Windhoek almost every 2-3 hours, ask the
taxi drivers where the buses leave. There are multiple taxi ranks
in Windhoek for different destinations, so make sure you find the
right one. For about N$60 you can have a ride in an overloaded
minibus. The ride will take about 4-6 hours. Pay immediatly and try
to get yourself a seat next to the driver for a bit more space.

Air Namibia[3] A number of flights
are offered by Air Namibia, from Windhoek as well as Cape Town in South Africa. Flights
operate from Walvis Bay, 35km south of Swakop.

South African Airways[4] They operate flights from Johannesburg and Cape Town. SAA flights also
operate from Walvis Bay.

By small aircraft There are numerous operators
in Namibia, and flying from destination to destination on a tour
through Namibia is an effective way to minimize the time spend
travelling the long distances.

On a Tour or Safari

Swakopmund is a frequent one or two night stop on most tours
around Namibia. There are many tour operator doing tours both from
Namibia and from outside, such as South Africa.

By bus

Although the Mini Buses are slightly cheaper and are an
experience, they have no fixed time schedule and are often
overloaded. So check out these operators:

Intercape[5] operates a service from
Windhoek via Okahandja. Intercape service also extends to South
Africa and Zimbabwe.

By ship

Get around

As with other Namibian cities, there is no public
transport in Swakopmund. But the city is small enough to
get around easily on foot. All the major attractions and facilities
are downtown. It´s hard to get a taxi in city centre (there are no
taxi's on a saturday after 7pm), but once you get one it takes you
wherever you want for the same rate as the Windhoek Taxis. A trip
to Walvis Bay shouldn´t be more than N$40.

Do

Swakopmund is Namibia's adventure capital. Because of this,
taking advantage of the following is a must.

Do a tour Go out to see the Welwitschia
plants, the Cape Fur Seals at Cape Cross, the Swakop River and the
life and beauty of the dunes and desert.

Beach People don't come to Swakopmund to hang
out in the desert. Hang with the Namibians away on school holiday
and go to the beach. You'll find cold water, but warm sands. The
beach, just to the north of town, is ringed with museums and
cafes.

Helicopter You can take marvellous helicopter
and lite plane rides around the Skeleton Coast (to the north) and
around the Namib desert (the oldest desert in the world, with the
tallest sand dune in the world).

Sandboarding You can ski the dunes just like
you're snowboarding, or ride the board on your belly. Extremely
high speeds.

Quad-biking This is an excellent way to see
the Namib desert close up. Several tour companies offer lessons and
guided tours on four-wheel motorbikes through the desert
surrounding the city. Breathtaking views of the dunes and the
Atlantic Ocean.

Skydiving Learn to jump from concerned,
compassionate professionals in one of the cheapest, best skydiving
schools on earth.

Educate Yourself Swakopmund has one of the
best libraries in Africa.

Party Swakop has an unusual number of skilled
rock musicians and an impromptu "Open Mike Night" can usually be
organized at one of the local nightspots. Travelling musicians take
note!

Surf Hit the surf spots to the north of town,
such as 'Thick Lip' and 'The Wreck'. Travel further south towards
Langstrad for 'Guns'.

Hotair ballooning & Microlight Flights
There are few better ways to see the Namib Desert.

Walk in the dunes Just south of town on the
road to Walvis Bay, there are some nice sand dunes. Cross over the
Swakop River, smile at the fact that there's rarely any visible
water in it, and stroll through the dunes.

Birding There are several birding locations in
the town. At the Swakop River mouth there is a small fresh water
lagoon which always has good birds to see. In the town there is the
water treatment area. This is more for the twitcher (birders
chasing rare birds) looking for rare birds. It is only open on
working hours on week days. North of the town is the Mile 4 Salt
works. Some roads go along the open saline lakes where the salt is
being extracted. This area is very important for various birds,
including Flamingos.

Buy

There are several nice shops in Swakop selling souvenirs and
art. There is also a very good craft market near
the lighthouse, which has a lot of items which are difficult to
find elsewhere in Namibia.

Leder
Chic (leather boutique for ostrich,
kudu and buffalo leather articles), Brauhaus Arcade, (Centre of town in Roonstreet), ☎+264 64 463979. from 8h00 to 18h00. Luggage and leather retail shop, the finest
ostrich and kudu wallets and purses. Modern zebra skin belts,
ostrich and kudu leather belts as well as designer handbags in
springbok, kudu, nguni, buffalo and ostrich leather.edit

Alternative Space, 167 Lazaret St. At the edge
of town. The hostel is a unique facility, decorated throughout with
Namibian art. $N175 double room, $N225 triple room.

Villa Wiese Backpackers, +264 64 407105,
[villawiese@compuscan.co.za], [9]. Another great
backpackers. Plus they have their own bar.

Swakopmund Hotel & Entertainment Centre is
a 4 star luxury hotel, built in and around the impeccably restored
old station building. Includes casino, pool and restaurant. From
$N940 per Room, incl. breakfast

Dünenblick self-catering apartments, riverside av 37 and rhode
allee no 5 (overlooking
the namib dunes and close to the beach, opposite the Swakopmund
jetty), ☎+264 81 1290489
and +264 81 149 0449 (duenenblick@selfcatering-swakopmund.com),
[11]. checkin:
14h00; checkout: 10h00. Luxury
apartments, stylishly decorated in contemporary look, with all the
comforts possible. Including full DSTV and Internet , well situated
with sea view or dune view. All within walking distance to the
centre of townFrom N$ 400.00 per
apartment. edit

The Tug Restaurant, (at the jetty), ☎+264 (64) 402356 (tug@iafrica.com.na, fax: +264 (64) 402356). A great seafood restaurant. It is an actual tug
with a great view of the sea - reservations are essential.edit

Light House Pub, (Located at the Mole). Try the calamari and seafood dishes, serves pub
meals and restaurant. Big room, so nothing if you want to feel
homely.edit

Weinmaus, Poststraße. Very friendly host. Not many tables, so make a
reservation.edit

Dünenblick selfcatering apartments, Riverside Avenue 37 and
Rhode Allee no 5 (Riverside Avenue first road left as you
come into Swakopmund from Windhoek, into Aukas Street, go straight
till T junction, then turn right into Riverside Avenue.),
☎+264 81 129 0489, [12]. all. We offer clean,
well serviced close to the beach and the namib desert, self
catering apartments. All of them are luxuriously furnished in a
contemporary stylish look. We offer full DSTV and Internet.from N$ 400.00 per apartment. edit

Drink

This is Jagermeister country and don't forget to sample the
famous, locally brewed Hansa Draught.

Tiger Reef - beach bar, excellent place for a
sundowner on the beach. Go to the aquaruim and walk along the beach
in the direction of Walvis Bay. Grab a bottle of bubbly for the
amazing sunset (Locally called sundowners)

Grunerkrantz Located above Cape to Cairo. This
is where everyone comes for their late night drink.

Swakopmund is a good starting point for trips up the Skeleton Coast. A good
day-trip would be south from Swakop to Walvis Bay, Namibia's port town. The road to
Walvis Bay provides good views of the Namib dunes meeting the
Atlantic.

Cape Cross

120 km north of Swakopmund lies Cape Cross, where every October
to December about 100,000 of the Cape Fur Seals breed. The sight
and the noise (and also the smell) is absolutely breathtaking! The
name Cape Cross comes from a stone cross erected 1486 by the
Portuguese Diego Cáo. Entry fee to the nature reserve is 10 N$.
Accommodation at the Cape Cross Lodge [13].

For hobby botanists a half day trip to the south east will take
you to the legendary Welwitschia Mirabilis plants. In a place where
there is no rain for decades the only water source this plant uses
is humidity. Welwitschia can become over 1000 years old and only
live in this part of the Namib desert, 40 to 120 km away from the
coast. Take the Welwitschia drive that starts 50 km east of
Swakopmund. Be careful not to walk too close to the plants (roots
easily destroyed) or even take plants with you, the species is
highly endangered!!!

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